Automatic weighing-machine



Patented Dec. 27, |898.

F. H. RICHARDS.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Appumion med me. 1o, 159:1.)

3 Sheets-$heet I.

(No Model.)

invadon- H/z eaves.' 7% @y No. 6|6,86|. Paterted Dec. 27, |898.

F. H. RICHARDS. A

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 10, 1897.) (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Tug 40mm Finns an. Fume .mf hammam r 8. 9 m 71 2 n e D d e t n nu t a PS. D R A H w R H. .r. N 8, m 6 0. N

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application led Dec. 10, 1897.)

3 Shees---Sheet 3.

(No ModeL) Fig 7.

Fly 6.

Wn. l W

Witnesses,-

Parent* FRANCIS H. PtlOlL/XRDS, OF HARHFORD, OONNlllO'il-CUT.

AUTOMATIC ht/ElGlsllitlOmlivl/FClrllin SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 616,851, dated lit' La. n

eeeniber N" Application filed December l0, 1897. Serial No. 661,411. (Noniodel To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, FRANCIS H. RIcI-ranns, a citizen of the UnitedStates7 residing at llartford, in the count-y of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic lVeighing-Machines,of which the following is a speci--'catioir This invention relates to improvements in Weighing-machines;and it has for its main obj ect the provision of an improved automaticmachine ot this type adapted for weighing predetermined quantities ofmaterial and in which all of the parts will be simple in constructionand operation and the movements thereof will be controlled with greatfacility and precision.

The machine illustrated in the drawings ot this application isespecially designed and intended to be controlled in its movements byeleetrically-operated devices. ri`he times at which the valve or valvesof the stream-controlling` means open or shut will be governed bysuitable circuit-controlli n g means included in a corresponding`electric circuit or circuits', all of these operations being preferablydependent upon the position of the Weighing mechanism proper as thelatter rises and falls when there is no poising-load thereon or whenpoised by the delivery ot a partial or full charge into a suitablereceiver or package carried by this mechanism.

One of the main features of this invention is the employment of valvemechanism in which the operation of one valve or each valve, it there bemore than one, is controlled by actuating means whicliivhen exertingupon the valve a force suitable for actuating the latter will not applyto such valve any opposing or counteracting torce7 as is usually thecase with valve-actuating devices in Weighing-machines as heretoforeconstructed. ln other Words, ii l employ valve-actuating means forapplying torce to the valve at dillferent times for imparting ditterentmovements to the valve, Whether these movements be two successiveclosing movements or alternate openn ing and closing movements, thetorce so applied ivill never be exerted in opposition to any other torceacting upon the valve, and hence it this actuating means is operating toopen the valve there will be no opposing lforce which would have atendency to close the valve at such time, while it the force exerted bea valve-closing one there will be opposing valve-opening torce appliedto suehvalve.

As the machine embodying my present improvements is especially designedas an electrically-controlled scale, I employ in connection with thevalveactuating means just described one or more electric circuits and acorresponding circuit-controller or circuitcontrollers for governing oneor more ot the Inovements ot the valve-actuating means, and as l willmake use, preferably, ci' two coopera tive stream-controlling valves,one ot' which may constitute a main valve for permitting the principaldow-stream to run into a suit able receiver or package, While the othermay be a drip-valve 'for regulating` the flow of the materialsubstantially in the usual manner during the last stages of each loadingopera tion, these two valves will of course close suceessively7 and inconnection therewith valve actuating means will be employed which willbe operative for applying to the stream-controlling means or valvesuccessive and independent closing forces neither ot which will in anyway interfere with the other. its the principal reason 'for employingactuating means of this type is to prevent the opposi tion orcounteraction ot the valve-opening and valve-closing forces, it ivill beapparent that my invention embodies as one ot its essential 'features apair of successivelyclosing-valves and valve-actuating means which willoperate to apply to said valve successive and inde pendent andpreferably discontinuous valveopening and valve-closing forces,

Any suitable type ot' stream controlling means or valve mechanism may bensed; but in the present instance l have illustrated a simple form inwhich a pair of oscillatory plug-valves control the ilon' of the streamthrough a pipe or conduit in which the plugn valves are mounted. One ofthese valves will be preferably carried by and journaled on the other insuch a manner that the tivo will be capable ot oscillation in concentricarcs, one of said valves having an opening therein which maylic inalineinent with a corresponding opening or openings in the other to peumit them to register' with one another and also with the opening in thesupplypipe. These valves .vill preferably oscillate in oppositedirections, one of them being turned one way for reducing the ilo\v, eamto a dripstrcam and the other or drip-valve being; turned in the opposte direction to cut otl the tlovv en iircly at ine proper point in theoperation of the machine.

in the construction illustrated in the drawvvnile the operation of thetivo valves is governed hv electrieally-actuated devices, yet the movi`nts of the valves are not effected directly such electrical means.Instead l prefer to c y vane-actuating means which vvill tend i ,cratecontinuously and when so opera-tint` vi'ill of course move the valve orvalve l in order to control or stop the operat is valve-actiiating meansl einploy i electricallycperated device or device: actuat application oithe 'alves craiinc iii "hen in engageniei'itvfitli sucli i s ivill ofcourse prevent the i operating' force to either of thiselectrieally-controllcd opnism or valve-actuating` means in thepreferred construction a continuoi k o'ierative driver, preferablyrotary, vfill intermittently engage and operate er rotate a drivenmember, which ivill be clutched to the driver in some suitable mannerivhen permitted by the electrical controlling;` iii-cans. In this case lmake use of couplingv or clutfh mechanism of the frictional type, in vich a continuously-rotative driver is in frii'ctienal sliding' contactvvith an intermittently-rotative driven member or frictiondislc, 'theadiusiment of these parts with respect to eat other being such as tocausethe driver to kite the driven member instantaneoufl nen the latteris released by the ccntrollm` means and free to operate, As a drivenmember of this type vi'ill usually rotate at each release through an arcless than a full circle, si a driven member maybe controlled advanigeously by means of escapenient mechari` n, and one of the principafeatures of these improvements is the employmentificonneetionvfithafriction-clutch the driven member of vvhich operatesa suitable movable member of the Weighing-machineMsuc nstance, avalve-of an es peinent/coi ollingtiie release, and hence the rotation7et' iid driven member and pref- -1 l lectrically by a circuit or by theWeighing mechani ie. The movement of the driven memce maybe transmittedto the valve in a u iitable manner; butl prefer to employ aconnection-as, for example, an eccentric, a connecting-rod, and aroclshaftivhich vfill t for` the rotary movement of the d rive-n memberinto a reciprocatory move ment ofthe fiiember to be act 1rated.

e mechanism of my present niaf' its essential features tvvo n valves, ihave illustrated aerei ith tvv'o sets of actuating )is the in connectiont and controlling devices, each capable of op erating independently et'the other, but both preferablycontrolled bythe electricaldevices in sucha manner that the driven mcn'ibcrs of the tivo independent oil'ieratingmechanisms may rotate simultaneously to open the valves in acorrespondine,` manner, although, ot course,thesedriven members willoperate separately and independently vvhen the valves are to close. lfence it vvill be clear that ivhile the actuating means foreach valve iscapable of applying thereto alternate valve-opening and valve-closingforces entirely independent of each other, yet the combined valveopeningforces ot these mechanisms may be exerted and applied simultaneously' toopen the tivo valves at the saine time.

rlhe electrical controlling devices by means of which the movements ofthe valves are governed constitute one of the leadingv features of theseimprovements. In the preferred construction, as before stated, all ofthe valve movcinen ts vvill be controlled electrically, and

preferably the weighing mechanism of the machine ivill govern theoperation of the circuit-controlling means in circuit ivith theelectrically-operated escapements, to which reference has been made. Allof the parts of the machine vvill co'iperate in such a manner that thecircuits to the electrically-operated eseapements will be madesuccessively at difi'erent points in the movements ofthe Weighing`mechanism vvhen the valves are to be closed, vvhile such circuits may bemade simultaneously when the valves are to be opened. rlhis result maybe attained bycinploying a circuit-controller movable with the weighingmechanism and operativo for closingl successively three circuits, one ofvvhich is connected only with one ot' the electricallyoperated devicesli ust mentioned, and auother of vvhich is connected only with the otherof such devices, vvhilo the third circuit is connected with both of theelectrically-operated means controlling,` the escapeinents. )is it ivillbe obvious that if cach of these circuits had therein only a singlebreak adapted to be closed in the manner just described the circuits ofone or both of the electrically-operated escapements would be closed andthe movement or movements of the valve mechanism permitted, and as themachine shovvn in the drawings is not designed to carry a permanentreceiver forming` part of the Weighing-machine, but vvill ojerate todeliver material into se iarate and removable receivers or packages, itvvill be seen that unless addittional controlling means be provided thevalves might deliver material therefrom u'hilc no package was inposition to receive the charge. Hence in connection with thecircuitcontrolling means before described I employ a separatecircuit-controller spanning` a sccond break in the controlling circuitor circuits and adapted to close the same only when a can or package isproperly positioned on its carrier on Athe beam mechanism.

In connection vvith the circuit-controlling means governed by theWeighing mechanism proper and by the placing of a package upon thepackage-carrier in its proper position I employ also circuit-controllingmeans governed directly by the movements of the valve mechanism in sucha manner that it will be impossible for any circuit to be closed forpermitting the further movement of a valve until the latter shall havebeen carried to the end of the last preceding movement thereof. Themeans which I prefer to make use of for this purpose is a make-and-breakWheel cooperative with the clutch mechanism hereinbefore referred to andpreferably rotatable in unison with and carried by the driven member ofsuch clutch. Then this make-andbreak wheel is operated lpositively inthis manner, it will be clear that unless such driven member shall havecompleted its partial or step movement the corresponding movenient ofthe valve will not have been completely accomplished, nor will that ofthe circuit-controlling make-and-break Wheel, and hence thenon-completion of any partial movementof the latter may be employed as ameans for preventing improper operation of the parts, thisresult beingattained by placing the cooperating contact arm or arms in suchpositions that the proper circuit or circuits Will not be closed unlessthe make-andbreak Wheel is at the end of such step of its completemovement.

In the machine embodying my present invention I prefer to employ twomake-andbreak wheels, each controlling a determined number of circuitsand operative conjointly with the other circuit-controlling meanshereinbefore described to govern the movements of the correspondingvalve. In all cases the proper operation of the Weighing mechanism andthe rotation of the make-and-break Wheels to predetermined points arecontrolled not only by these valve movements, but also by theenergization of the electrically-operated devices for releasing theescapements, Which permit the turning of the make-and-break wheelsthemselves.

It may be noted here that the make-andbreak wheels employed herein areof novel construction, as will be fully set forth hereinafterin thedetailed description of the parts.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure l is a side elevation of an automatic Weighing-machineconstructed in accordance with my present invention and illustrating thepositions of the parts during the delivery of the full stream' into areceiver or package on the Weighingmachine. Fig. 2 is a similar Viewshowing the positions of the parts on the descent of the weighingmechanism and illustrates also the release of the escapement forpermitting the rotation of the driven member of the friction-clutch andthe make-and-break Wheel carried thereon and controlling the operationof the main valve. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the positions of theparts when this driven member of the clutch for the main valve isstopped at the end of its stage of movement just described, With themain valve in position to reduce the flow-stream to a dripstream. Fig.4- shoWs the positions of the parts on the descent of the Weighingmechanism to about the cut-off position and illustrates also the drivenmember of the clutch for the cut-off valve released to permit theshutting of the latter. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the positionsof the parts at the end of the movements of this driven member of theclutch for the cut-off valve with the valve fully closed and the loadcompleted. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional detail views of thevalve mechanism, illustrating the parts in the full-stream, drip, andcut-off positions, respectively; and Fig. 9 is a detail plan of aportion of the driving mechanism, illustrating one of thefriction-clutches by means of Which the movement of a valve iscontrolled.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

Any suitable framework may be employed for supporting the severaloperative parts of my improved machine. That illustrated herein embodiesa base or bed plate, such as l, from which rises a framework comprisinga pair of standards or uprights, such as 53 and 2', connected by asuitable member or members in such a manner as to form preferably asingle or unitary casting on which most of the controlling mechanismwill be mounted.

The Weighing mechanism may be of any usual or suitable construction,butpreferably embodies as its main features beam mechanism pivoted onthe base l and preferably in the form of a single beam (indicated by B)supported by the usual knife-edge bearings or pivots, (indicated by 3.)Near the opposite ends thereof this beam mechanism may have pivotedthereon a pair of supports, one of which is indicated by i andconstitutes a substantially flat Weight-receivin g pan, While the otheris represented by 5 and forms a corresponding substantially flatscale-pan or package-carrier for sustaining the load-receiver or packageinto Which the material of the charge is to be delivered. rlhese twopans t and 5 may be guided during the ascending and descending movementsof the Weighing mechanism proper in any suitable manner--as, forexample, by means of the depending guides or hangers a' and 5, Workingin openings in a pair of bosses G and (5', rising from the base l.

The stream-controlling means by which the supply of material to thereceiver or packagecarri er is regulated may also be of any proper type;but I prefer to employ valve mechanism of simple construction andpreferably embodying a pair of valves constituting, respectively, a mainor reducing valve and a drip or cut-od valve, one of which obviously mayoperate as a means for reducing the full stream to a drip-stream and theother as a device for cutting off the drip-stream, and

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thereby stoppin g entirely the flow of material. In this case thestream-supplying means may be in the form of a supply-pipe, (indicatedby 1),) and the material flowing therethrough may be controlled by apair of plug-valves, one journaled on and preferably movable oppositelyto the other. rlhese two plug-valves are indicated by i; and It", thevalve fu forming the main valve, while that shown at e" is thedrip-valve. The drip-valve is a plain plug-valve supported in the usualmanner in an ordinary valve-bod y P', which may form part of the pipe Por be screwed thereonto, so as to be removable. rllhe main valve is inthe form of an annular memberorshell surrounding and journaled on thedrip-valve, so as to be capable of turning freely thereon independentlythereof, while the drip-valve L" will also be capable of turning freelywhile the main valve is held. These two valves have suitable opeuin gstherein for permitting the passage of material therethrough, thedrip-valve having in this case an opening or channel S, adapted toregister with a pair of openings 9 and 9 in the main valve when the full stream is iiowin g into the receiver. Vhen it is desired to reducethe flow-stream to a drip-stream, the valve yv will be turned to theposition shown in Fig. 7 by suitable actuating means, to be hereinafterdescribed, and thereupon only a small amount of material will flowthrough the several openings 8, 9, and 9', as the openings 9 and 9 inthe main valve will obviously be out of alinement with the opening 8 andwith the openings in the pipe and the valve-body. To cut oif the streamcntirely,the drip-valve t" may be turned in the opposite directiomasillustrated clearly in Fig. S, from which it will be seen that when theparts are in the positions shown therein no material at all can passinto the opening in the valve-body I to discharge into the receiver.

The valve-actuating means which l employ is of such construction andoperates in such a manner as to transmit no force to either valve toopen the same when a valve-closing force is being applied thereto, andvice versa. The mechanism operatin g in this manner constitutes one ofthe most important features of this invention; but so long as thisprinciple of operation is retained it may of course be embodied in avariety of different constructions, one of which is illustrated in thedrawings of this case and is deemed a desirable one for the purpose. Inthe construction shown each of the valves is intended to oscillate, andeach has secured to the stem thereof a rock-arm by means of whichmovements of a suitable member or members may be transmitted thereto foroperating the valve. The rock-arm for the main valve is indicated by l0and that for the drip-valve by lO.

The actuating means proper, by which the movements of cach valve arecontrolled, will preferably embody as its essential features acontinuously-operative driver, usually a rotary driving member and adriven member, which may be clutched intermittently and instantaneouslyto the driver and the movement of the latter transmitted in turn to theproper valve, which it controls. In the construction shown I haveillustrated two sets of actuating devices, which may be operated bymeans of a common driving member, such as l5, and as these two actuatingmeans are substantially identical in construction and operation adescription of one will su'iice for both, appropriate prime-marks beingemployed to designate those corresponding parts of the actuatingmeansfor the drip-valve which are not referred to particularly herein in thedetailed description of the actuating means for the main valve. Thedriving-belt l5 passes around a pair of rotary driving members 2O and20, one of which will be secured to the driving-shaft 91 and the otherto a corresponding shaft 2l.

The band wheel or pulley constitutes, as will be obvious, a continuouslyrotative driver or driving member, and in connection therewith l preferto employ an intermittentlyrotative driven member, which will beclutched or coupled to the driver in some suitable manner when the valvet is to be operated. rlhis driven member and the driving member areseparated from each other preferably by means of a leather or similarwasher, such as 22,which lies between these two parts, these membersconstituting a friction clutch or coupling, which will assure thepositive rotation of the driven member whenever the latter is releasedfrom en gagem entwith a suitable holding device. As the driver iscontinuously rotating and the parts are in frictional sliding engagementat all times, it will be seen that this connection constitutes a verypositive driving means for instantaneously effecting the rotation of thedriven member when the. latter is released in the manner just described.This driven member is indicated by 23 and is in the form Aof africtiondisk, having one or more stops thereon, )referably disposedcircumferentially therearound, the two stops shown herein beingindicated, respectively, by 24 and 25. With these stops may cooperate asuitable intercepting device or devices, preferably in the form of anescapement-such, for instance, as that indicated at 30 which has alightspring 3l, normally tending to maintain the stop member or escapement 30in engagement with one or the other of the stops 24 and 25, according tothe position in which the driven member or friction-whee may be. As itis only neeessary in this case to provide for two movements of eachvalve, it will be clear that not only may two stops be used, but thatthese may be disposed in diametrieally opposite positions, so that thedriven member may rotate a half-turn at each release thereof, and thusaccomplish the opening and the closing of the valve by movements inequal arcs.

The escapement 30 is preferably electrically IOC IOS

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operated, and the operation of the escapement may be controlled in anysuitable mannerby an electric circuit. In this case, however, I haveillustrated for actuating the escapem ent member or stop-arm an ordinaryelectromagnet e, the armature 32 of which is carried by the member 30,the latter being pivoted at 33 on the framework. It will be clear thatwhen the electromagnet e is energized the .escapement will be releasedand the driven member 23 will be permitted to rotate. As it isabsolutely essential, however, that this driven member should be stoppedproperly at the end of each half-turn and as it is rotatedinstantaneously by the driver when the arm is released from one of thestops 24 and 25, it will be apparent that some means must be providedfor breaking the circuit to the electromagnet e almost as quickly as itis made in order that the stop on the driving member may not pass by theescapement and hence rotate too far. Therefore I have illustratedherein, in connection with each of the driven members,circuit-controlling means, preferably in the form of a makc-and-breakwheel rotatable in unison with the driven member and carried thereby. Itwill be apparent that a circuit-controller mounted in this way will moveexact-ly in unison with the driven member, and with a contact terminalor terminals thereon properly cooperating with another terminal or armon the framework a second break in the circuit to the electromagnet emay be opened and closed by a very slight movement of the driven member23 in circumferential direction. As the two makeand-break wheels andtheir cooperating contact-arms may be substantially similar inconstruction, a description of one of these will also suflice for both.Preferably this makeand-break Wheel, which is indicated herein by M,will be secured to the shaft carrying` the driven member 23 and may bemade of insulating material having suitable conducting contact-terminalsembedded therein. In this case four contact-terminals are carried bythis Wheel, and they are indicated, respectively, by 2o, 27, 28, and 29.The two terminals 2G and 27 are disposed circumferentially in theinsulating-wheel M, while the contacts 28 and 29are'located in one sideface thereof. Moreover, the terminals 2G and 29 are connected by asuitable conducting member, and the terminals 27 and 28 arecorrespondingly joined. It will be clear, therefore, that a pair ofcontact members or arms carried on the framework and located in suchpositions as to cooperate with these terminals will serve as means forcontrolling the circuit or circuits in which the contact-arms may beincluded. It will be noticed that not only are the terminals 28 and 29disposed in one of the side faces of the make-and-break wheel, but thatthey are also located at different distances from the axis of rotationof said wheel, and

hence may cooperate with contact-arms hav-.

ing their contact-making faces at diferent distances from the peripheryof the wheel. One of these contact-arms is indicated by and cooperateswith the contact-terminal 28, while the other contact-arm is designatedby 36 and controls in a corresponding manner the terminal 29. A singlecontact-arm or circuit-controller is sufiicient for the purpose ofcooperating with the terminals 2G and 27 in the periphery of the wheel,and this arm is indicated by 34.

The conductive connections between the several electrical controllingdevices justvdescribed and a suitable source of electric energy, such asthat indicated herein by o, are shown clearly in the drawings. tact-arm34 is connected by a conductor 40 with one terminal of the electromagnetc, the other terminal of the latter being connected in turn by means of`a conductor 4l with a suitable binding-post 42, from which a wire 43extends to one pole of the source of energy. The other pole oi suchsource is connected by a conductor 44 to a binding-post 45, from whichpasses a conductor 46 to circuit-controlling means governed by theplacing of a package in position on the carrier ofthe beam mechanism.From this circuit-controlling means passes a conductor 47 tocircuit-controlling means governed by the movements of the weighingmechanism proper, this controlling means embodying in this case acontact-arm 48, carried by the beam mechanism, and a series of threeinsulated contact-terminals supported on the upright 2 and indicated,respectively, by 50, 5l, and 52. From the contact-arm 36, hereinbeforereferred to, passes a conductor 53 to the terminal 51,While from thecontact-arm 35 a conductor 54 passes to the terminal 52. The terminal isconnected by a conductor 55 with the contactarm 36 of the lowermake-and-break wheel M', governing the operation of the drip-valve o'.The contact-arm 35 of this last-mentioned make-and-break wheel isconnected by `a conductor 54' with the conductor 54, and hence with thecontact-terminal 52, while the circuit-controlling arm 34 is connectedby a conductor 5G with one terminal of the electromagnet d, the otherterminal of said electromagnet being connected by a conductor 41 withthe conductor 4l, and hence with one side of the battery o.

rlhe terminals 52, 5l, and 50 control, respectively, in that order thefull-stream, dripstream, and cut-oft positions of the valve mechanism;and it will be clear that through the terminals 50 and 5l, connected,respectively, with the contact-arms 3G and 36, circuits to theelectromagnets c and e' will only be closed successively and neversimultaneously, thus rendering it impossible to apply to the two valveso and o simultaneous closing forces. On the other hand, thecontactterminal 52 is connected both to the contactarm 35 and to thecorresponding arm 35 of the upper make-and-break wheel, and hence foropening the valves the circuits to both The con- IOC IIO

electromagnets may be made simultaneously, as it is not necessary thatthe two valves should be opened successively. It will be apparent,however', that by reason of the positioning of the contact arms andterminals of the make-and-break wheels and of the circuit-controllingmeans governed by the beam mechanism of the machine a circuit will neverbe closed to either electromagnet for releasing the escapement thereofand permitting the opening of the valve while such electromagnetisenergized to release the escapement and permit the closing of suchvalve; and the converse of this is also true.

The connection between the driven members and the rock-arms l0 IO may bemade in any well-known manner; but in the present case I haveillustrated, in connection with each of the driven members of the twosets of valve-actuating means, an eccentric or eccentric-pin connectedby means of a pitman or connecting-rod with the proper valve androck-arm. These two eccentric-pins are indicated at and GO' and theconnectingrods by 6l and GF, these transmitting members constitutingmeans for changing the rotary movement of the driven members of theclutch mechanisms into oscillatory movements of the valves.

As before stated, my improved electricallycontrolled automatic machineillustrated herein is especially useful as a scale for making up smallpredetermined loads in vessels or packages removable from the machine,and for this reason the scale-pan or package-carrier 5 is preferablyllat in order to support thereon fiat-bottom packages, such as thatshown at p, which, when iilled, will be removed from under the mouth ofthe supply spout or pipe. As it would frequently happen in actualpractice that no package would be on the receiver 5, I prefer to employ,in connection with the electrical controlling devices hereinbeforedescribed in detail, circuit-controlling means governed by the placingof the package in position on the packagecarrier, thiscircuit-controlling means operating, preferably, to keep all of thecircuits open unless \a package is in place and serving to close theproper circuit (determined by the other controlling devices) when it isin place. Any suitable form of circuit-controlling means may be used forthis purpose, and in this case I have shown at a pin projecting throughan opening in the packagecarrier 5 and adapted to be depressed by a canor package properly placed on the carrier 5. To this pin 65 may besecured one of a pair of contact-arms, such as G6 and 07, connected,respectively, with conducting-wires y-LG and fl-7. lVhen this break isclosed, any one of the three circuits hereinbefore referred to whichhappens to be closed by the other circuit-controlling devices will becompleted and the valves will be operated correspondingly. Obviously,the placing of the package in position will usually close and completethe circuits to both electromagnets for opening the two valves.

The circuit-controlling means governed by the weighing mechanism properhas been hereinbefore referred to and may be of siniple construction.Preferably the contactarm 4S will be carried by the beam mechanism atthe extreme end of the latter and will be adjustable thereon, so that itmay be set and held positively when suitably adjusted. A small set-screw4S may be used for this purpose.

The operation of a weighing-machine constructed in accordance with mypresent invention, as illustrated in the drawings of this application,is as follows: It being understood that all of the parts are in thepositionsshown in Fig. l and that both of the valves have been openedwide by that operation of theactuating mechanism which is controlled bythe completion of the circuit for opening the valves on the placing ofan empty package or can p in position on thescale-pan 5, it will beseen, as indicated in Fig. G, that thc full stream is being deliveredinto the can. As soon as the weight of the material of the charge issui'licient to change the position of the weighing mechanism proper thebeam mechanism will descend and the circuit-controller 48 will rise andbe carried off from the terminal 52 and onto the contact 5l, whereupon acircuit will be completed from the battery through conductors 44. and46, contact-arms 66 and 67, conductor 47, contactarm 4S, terminal 5l,conductor 53, contactarm 36, terminals 29 and 2S, contact-arm 3l,conductor 40, electromagnet e, conductor 4l, and conductor 43, thuscausing the energization of this electromagnet, the release of theescapement 30, and consequently permitting rotation of the driven member23 of the upper friction-clutch and therewith the makeand-break wheel M.The beginning of this movement is shown in Fig. 2. Immediately after thedriven member and the make-andbreak wheel begin to turn the Contact isbroken at 34 26 and at 36 29, and the electromagnet e being denergizedits armature is released, and the spring 3l carries the escapementmember into engagement with the stop 25 as soon as a half-rotation ofthe make-andbreak wheel and the driven member 23 shall have beencompleted. At the end of this partial movement, which is indicated inFig. 3, the main valve c, actuated to the position shown in Fig. 7, willbe in position to deliver a drip-stream to the package or can p, thestop 2,5 will be in engagement with the end ot' the escapement member30, and the contactarm 34 will be in engagement with the terminal 27 ofthe make-and-break wheel, while at the opposite side of said wheel thebreak in the circuit will have been closed by the contact-terminal 28engaging the contact-arm 35. The drip-stream will continue to flow intothe can p until the beam mechanism is poised and practically the fullcharge is in .the terminal 52.

'the receiver, whereupon the circuitlcontrolling arm 38 will be carriedoit from the contact 5l and onto the terminal 50, (see Fig. 4,) thusclosing a circuit from the battery, which will follow the same path, ashereinbefore described, as far as the contact-arm 48, from which thecourse of the current will be through contact-terminal 50, conductor 55,contactarm 30', contact 29', contact 2G', circuit-con trolling arm 34',conductor 56, electromagnet e', conductor 4l', conductor 4l, andconductor 43. The completion of this circuit causes the energization ofthe electromagnet e', and hence the release of the escapement 30',controlling the rotation of the driven member 23' of the friction-clutchgoverning the operation of the dripvalve 'o'. The release of this drivenmember 23' and the beginning of the rotation thereof and oi themake-and-break wheel M' are shown in Fig. 4. The completion of themovement is illustrated in Fig. 5. Im-

mediately after the stop 24' is released by the escapement member 30'and the make-andbreak Wheel M' begins rotating the contact is broken at34' 2 and at 36 29', and hence the electromagnet c' is deenergized andthe escapement member 30' is carried by its spring 8l' into position to'engage the stop 25' on the completion of the halt`-rotation of thedriven member 28'. By referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that on thecompletion of this movement the drip-valve n' will have been oscillatedin the opposite direction to the previously-described movement of thevalve c and willhave cut off the iioW of material entirely. Moreover,the stop 25' Will be in engagement with the escapement member 30' andthe terminal 27' will have come into contact with thecircuit-controlling arm 34', while the kterminal 28 will be in contactwith the circuit-control* ling arm 35. The package or can p is nonrfilled and may be removed from the machine. As soon as this is done ofcourse all of the circuits will be open and no circuit will be closedagain until an empty can is placed under the mouth of the supplyspout.On the removal of the iilled can the Weighing mechanism will return tothe position shown in Fig. l and the contact-arm 48 Will be on As soonas the circuit is closed at 6G 67 by the placing of a can in position onthe carrier 5 a circuit will be completed, which follows the same pathas before described to the circuit controlling arm 48, when the courseof the current Will be from contact-terminal 52, through conductor 54,to the point 54", Where the circuit Will divide, one branch going by Wayof conductor 54 to the contact-arm 85, contact 28, contact 27,circuitcontrolling arm 34, conductor 40, electromagnet e, and conductor4l to the point 4l", While the other branch goes by Way of conductor54', contact-arm 85', contact 28', contact 27', circuit-controlling arm34', conductor 50, clectromagnet e', and conductor 41 to the point 41",both currents going then by way of conductor4l and conductor 43. Theclosing of the circuits through these two parallel branches of coursecauses the encrgization of both electromagnets e and e', and hence therelease of the two escapements 30 'and 30', whereupon both drivenmembers 2S and 23' and the two make-and-break Wheels M and M' will berotated each a half-turn and the valves t and e' opened Wide, as shownin Fig. l, the contacts at 34 27, 35 28, 34 27', and 35 28' being brokenand the contacts remade, as shown in Fig. l, the stops J4 and 24' beingalso engaged by the escapements 30 and 80' at the end of such movements,whereupon all of the parts Will be in position for making up a new load.

Having described my invention, I claimn 1. In a weighing-machine, thecombina tion, With Weighing mechanism, of streamsupplying means; astream-controller; a device operable to actuate the stream-controllereither to permit the flow of, or to cnt off, the supply-stream; acontinuously-operative driver frictionally clutched to said device; andelectrically-operated means, controlled by the Weighing mechanism forpermitting at certain periods the operation of said device by saiddriver.

2. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, With Weighing mechanism, ofstreamsupplying means; a stream-controller; a rotative device operableto actuate the streamcontroller either to permit the flow of, or to cutoif, the supply-stream; a continuously-operative driver involving afriction-clutch; and means, controlled by the Weighing mechanism forpermitting the operation of said device by said driver at predeterminedtimes.

3. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, with Weighing mechanism, ofstreamsupplying means; a stream-controller; an axially-movable device; acontinuously-op.- erative driver involving a friction-clutch; a linkjointed eccentrically to said device and connected with thestream-controller; and means, controlled by the Weighing mechanism, forpermitting the operation of said device by said driver.

4. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, With Weighing mechanism, ofstreamsupplying means; astream-controller; a continuously-operativedriver involving a friction-clutch, a device operable to actuate thestream-controller either to permit the iiow of, or to cut off, thesupply-stream; an electrically-operated detent for engaging andreleasing said device; and circuit-controlling means carried by saiddevice.

5. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, With Weighing mechanism, or"streamsupplying means; a stream-controller; a ro -tary actuating devicefor the stream-con troller,said device involving a friction-clutch; alink connected respectively with the actu ating device and With thestream-controller; a detent for engaging said device; and elec- IOO IIO

trically-operated means, controlled by the weighing mechanism, fortripping said detent.

U. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with weighing mechanism, ofstream supplying means; astream-controller; a continuously-operativedriver involving a frietion-clutch, a device actuated by said driver andoperable to actnate the stream-controller either to permit the flow of,or to cut off, the supply-stream, and connected with saidstream-controller, and having a pair of projections; and a detentadapted to engage either projection.

'7. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with weighing mechanism, ofstreamsupplying means; a stream-controller; acontinuously-operativedriver involving a friction-clutch, a rotary device operable to actuatethe stream-controller and provided with peripheral projections; a linkconnected eccentrically to said rotary device and also to thestream-controller; and a detent adapted to successively engage saidprojections, thereby to hold the stream-controller in certain positions.

S. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a pair 'of cooperative plug-valves, one journaled on the other,of valve-actuating means involving a friction-clutch operative forapplyin g to said valves successive and independent valve-opening andvalve-closing forces.

Sl. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a pair of oppositely movable coperatin g valves, ofvalve-actuating means involving a friction-clutch operative for applyingto said valves successive and independent valveopening and valve-closingforces.

l0. In a weighing-machine, the combination,with weighing mechanism,ofstream-supplying means; an oscillatory plug-valve for controlling thesupply; a single device in volving a friction-clutch operable to actnatethe valve either to permit the iow of, or to cut off, the supply-stream;and means, controlled by the weighing mechanism, for throwing saidactuating device into and outoi' action.

ll. In a weighing-macl1ine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a pair of cooperative plug-valves, one journaled on the other,and said plugvalves being oppositely oscillatory, of two independentactuating devices connected respectively with the said valves androtative in the same direction; continuously-driven mechanism; means'for normally coupling the actuating devices to the continuously-drivenmechanism; two detents adapted to engage said devices; and means forsuccessively tripping said detents.

l2. In a weighingmachine, the combination with weighing mechanism,ofstream-su pplying means; a stream-controller; a rotary wheel; a linkconnected eccentrically to said wheel and also connected with thestream-controller a spring-actuated detent adapted normally to engagethe wheel; continuously-operative driving' mechanism involving a clutchadapted to be coupled with said rotary wheel; and means, operative withthe weighing meehanism, for tripping said detent.

13. In a weighing1nacliine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a stream-eontroller, of a friction-clutch comprising acontinuously-rotative driver and a frictionally-rotated driven member infrictional sliding contact with said driver, said driven membergoverning the opening and the closing of the stream-controller, and anescapement controlling the rotation of said driven member.

Il. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with an oscillatory stream-controller, of a frictionclutchcomprising a continuously-rotative driver and a frictionally-rotateddriven member in frictional sliding contact with said driver, saiddriven member governing the oscillation of the strea11i-controller, andan escapement controlling the rotation of said driven member.

l5. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with a supplypipe, of anoscillatory plugvalve therein; a friction-clutch comprising aeontinuously-rotative driver and a frictionally-rotated driven member,the latter in frictional sliding contact with said driver and connectedwith the plug-valve, and an escapement controlling the rotation of saiddriven member.

IG. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a stream-controller, of a friction-clutch comprising acontinuously-rotative driver and a frictionally-rotated driven member infrictional sliding contact with said driver, said driven membergoverning the closing movement of the stream-controller, and anescapement controlling the rotation of said driven member and governedbythe beam mechanism on the movement of the latter to a predeterminedposition.

17. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a st-ream-controller, of a friction-clutch comprising acontinuously-i'otative driver and a frictionally-rotated driven member,the latter in frictional sliding contact with said driver; an escapementcontrolling the rotation of said driven member; an eccentric movable inunison with said driven member; and connecting means between theeccentric and the stream-controller.

1S. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a pair of cooperative stream controlling valves7 of a pair ofclutch mechanisms one for each valve and each comprising a driver and adriven member, the latter governing the operation of the correspondingvalve, and a pair of separately-operative escapements controlling therotation of said respective driven members.

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19. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with an oscillatorymain valve, of an oppositclyoscillatorydrip-valve; a pairof clutch mechanisms one for each valve and eachcomprising a driver and a driven member, the latter governing theoperation oi the corresponding valve; and a pair of separately-operativeescapements controlling the rotation'of said respective driven members.

20. The combination, with weighing mechanism including apackage-support,of streamsupplying means; a stream controller; astream-controller-actuating device; an electrically-operated device forcontrolling the action of said stream-controller-actuating device; andcircuit making and breaking means operative, respectively, With thestream-controller-actuating device and the Weighing mechanism, and by a'package when said package is placed upon its support.

2l. In a Weighing-machine, 4the combination, With stream-supplyingmeans, of a pair of oscillatory plug-valves, one journaled on the otherand each having a crank-arm, and said valves being oppositelyoscillatory; two friction-clutches each comprising acontinuously-rotative driver and a frictionally-rotative driven member,the two parts being in frictional sliding contact; a pair of linkspivoted respectively at their opposite ends to the crank-arms and tosaid driven members, two detents adapted respectively for controllingthe operation of the driven members, and electrically-operated means forsuccessively tripping said detents.

22. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand With a stream-controller, ot' Weighing mechanism; clutch mechanismcomprising a driver and a driven member; an escapement controlling therotation of said driven member; an electric circuit controlling theoperation of said escapement 5 and automatic electricalcircuitcontrolling means governed by the Weighing mechanism.

23. In a weighing-machine, the combination, With stream-supplying meansand With a stream-controller, of Weighing mechanism; clutch mechanismcomprising a driver and a driven member; an electrically-operatedspring-pressed escapement controlling the rotation of said drivenmember; an electric circuit controlling the operation of saidescapement; and automatic electrical circuit-controlling mea-ns governedby the Weighing mechanism.

2li. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplyin gmeans and with a stream-controller, of Weighing mechanism;

clutch mechanism comprising a driver and a driven member; an escapementcontrolling the rotation of said driven member; an electric circuitcontrolling the operation of said escapement; and an automaticelectrical circuit-controller carried by the Weighin g mechanism.

25. The combination, with clutch mechanism embod yin ga driverand adriven member, of a make-and-break Wheel movable in unison with saiddriven member; means for bringing one of said clutch members intooperative relation with the other; and an electric circu it controlledby said i'nake-and-break Wheel.

26. The combination, with afriction-clutch comprising acontinuously-rotative d river and a frictionally-rotated driven memberin frictional sliding contact with said driver, of an escapementcontrolling the rotation of said driven member; a make-and-break wheelmovable in unison with said driven member; and an electric circuitcontrolled by said make-and-break wheel.

27. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a stream-controlling valve, of a make-andbreak Wheel 5 anelectric circuit controlled by said make-and-break Wheel and governing amovement of the valve; and means involving a friction-clutch forintermittently rotating the make-and-break Wheel.

28. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a stream-controlling valve, of a pair of electric circuitsgoverning tWo different movements of the valve; amake-and-break Wheel'controlling said circuits successively; and means for intermittentlyrotating the makeand-break Wheel.

29. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, With stream-supplying meansand with a stream-controllingvalve, of Weighin g mechanism embodying apackage-carrier; a make and-break Wheel; an electric circuit governing amovement of the valve; means for in termittently rotating themake-and-break wheel; and a circuit-controller governed by the placingof a package in position on the package-carrier and controlling saidcircuit conjointly with the make-and-break wheel.

30. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, With stream-supplying meansand With a stream-controllin g valve, of Weighing mech-1 anism embodyinga package-carrier 5 a make and-break wheel; an electric circuitgoverning a movement of the valve; means for intermittently rotating themake-and-break wheel; and a pair of circuit-controllers governed,respectively, by the Weighing mechanism proper and by the placing of apackage in position on the package-carrier and controlling said circuitconj ointly With the makeand-break Wheel.

3l. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying meansand with a stream-controllin g valve, of Weighin g mechanism embodying apackage-carrier; a makeand-break Wheel; an electric circuit governingthe movement of the valve; means for intermittently rotating themake-and-break wheel; and a circuit-controller governed by the Weighingmechanism and controlling said circuit conjointly with themakc-and-break Wheel..

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32. In a Weighing-machine, the combination, with stream-supplying` meansand With a stream-controlling valve, of Weighing; mechanism; anintermittently-rotative make-andbreak Wheel; an electric circuitgoverning a movement of the valve and controlled by said make-andbreakWheel; and an electrical circuit-controller governed by the Weighingmechanism and controlling the rotation of the make-and-break Wheel.

33. In a Weighing-macliine, the combination, with Streamsupplying meansand With a stream-controllin valve, of Weighing mechanism aninterniittently-rotative make-andbreak Wheel; an electric circuitgoverning the opening and closing` movements of said valve andcontrolled by said make-and-break Wheel; and electrical circuitcontrolling,`

means governed by the Weighing mechanism and controlling' the rotationof the make-andbreak Wheel and operative for making;r said circuit atsuccessive points in the movements of the weighing and also for breakingsaid said circuit.

FRANCIS Il. RICHARDS. Vitnesses:

F. N. CHASE, JOHN O. SEIFERT.

